Saint Nick

Song from England

I was lying on the couch recently, with Christmas in the air and had an urge to write a story about St Nicholas, the original one …

Artist: Hans ArndtGerman PostcardSt Nicholas Center Collection

A strange man lived in a Turkish town*His coat a sunset redHis beard so whiteLike a snowy nightAnd, so the legend said:His heart burst with so much loveThat he almost seemed aglowVowed to spare no costOn the poor or lostHe’d help them, but they’d never know

Chorus:

It was him, Saint NickWho healed the sickAt heart, with a special surpriseSacred ritesWhen the North wind bitesBringing fuel to delight the eyesWith treats in boots, for destitutesFor mothers in widow black weedsChildren with sorrowsOr lonely tomorrowsanyone else in need

He gave orphans warm wool stockingsFor the shivering, gifts of coalOranges, sweet, for the invalidsPiled high in a serving bowlCandles for sullen windowsGold for the empty pursePuddings for barren cupboardsA blessing instead of a curse

Chorus:

It was him, Saint NickWho healed the sickAt heart, with a special surpriseSacred ritesWhen the North wind bitesBringing fuel to delight the eyestreats in boots, for destitutesFor mothers in widow black weedsChildren with sorrowsOr lonely tomorrowsAnyone else in need

Tag

There’s a generous handIn a Christmas landThat touches us all a bitSo if moved to giveplease throw off the lidof the spirit of Good Saint Nick

Chorus:

Cause the spirit of NickHe heals the sickAt heart, with a special surpriseSacred ritesWhen the North wind bitesBringing fuel to delight the eyesTreats in boots, for destitutesFor mothers in widow black weedsChildren with sorrowsOr lonely tomorrows—Anyone else in need

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* Myra, a town in 4th century Greek Asia Minor, now present-day Turkey